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Good morning, Northwest.

If you noticed yesterday’s First Look got off to an unusual start, you weren’t alone. We accidentally left in some boilerplate text that we normally take out. Thanks to the eagle-eyed readers who caught the error.

As for today’s news, the U.S. Coast Guard has returned its rescue helicopter to Newport, following a judge’s orders from last month.

OPB politics reporter Dirk VanderHart leads the newsletter this morning with a look at what the helicopter’s return means — and the unresolved questions still surrounding the federal government’s plans for the coastal Oregon city.

Meanwhile, some college admissions applications are getting a new look.

Schools across the country, including the University of Washington, are altering or removing references to “diversity” in essay prompts to comply with guidance from the U.S. Department of Education.

Here’s your First Look at Friday’s news.

— Sukhjot Sal

US Coast Guard returns rescue helicopter to Newport

The U.S. Coast Guard permanently returned its rescue helicopter to Newport after removing the aircraft without explanation in October.

The development comes after a judge ordered the Coast Guard to return the helicopter immediately last month, pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging its abrupt removal.

According to Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, the guard is now acquiescing to the lawsuit’s demand that the aircraft be returned. Both senators were on a call Thursday with Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard.

It was not immediately clear what the development could mean for the ongoing federal lawsuit.

In that complaint, Lincoln County, the state of Oregon and the nonprofit Newport Fishermen’s Wives have all accused the Coast Guard of illegally removing the helicopter without giving proper notice. (Dirk VanderHart)

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3 things to know this morning

• Gov. Kotek, one of Oregon’s most influential Democrats for nearly two decades, made it official yesterday — she plans to run for a second term. It could set up a potential rematch with her longtime political rival, State Sen. Christine Drazan, though Drazan could face a crowded Republican primary. (Bryce Dole) 
• Over the past three years, the Historic Trust, a Vancouver nonprofit, has spent more than $2 million designing and constructing the Sacred Heart Plaza on the Providence Academy campus. Inspired by Mother Joseph’s original design, the new and improved Sacred Heart Plaza will officially open to the public today in Southwest Washington. (Winston Szeto) 
• This year, some colleges, including the University of Washington, have changed or removed essay prompts that referenced diversity from their admissions applications. The U.S. Department of Education told schools in February to get rid of what it called “racial preferences” when admitting students, citing a Supreme Court ruling that eliminated affirmative action in 2023. (Freddy Monares and Northwest News Network)

Headlines from around the Northwest

• Rotschy gets $170K fine for accident involving worker crushed by excavator (Erik Neumann)
• Oregon’s largest teachers’ union hosts training to protect students from ICE (Alex Baumhardt)
• Man sentenced for setting Blue Heron paper mill on fire in Oregon City (OPB staff)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

• CDC advisory committee considers delaying hepatitis B vaccines for newborns

Superabundant recipe: Spaghetti with radicchio di Chioggia, walnuts and anchovies

This week’s Superabundant recipe comes from chef Meredith Molli at La Medusa Restaurant (and sister restaurant Persephone) in Seattle.

You may recognize it — Culinary Breeding Network founder Lane Selman prepared it in our Radicchio episode.

The recipe calls for the maroon Chioggia variety of radicchio (which originated in the coastal Italian town of the same name), but if you have a Treviso or Castelvetrano (for example) that needs eating, feel free to use other cultivars instead.

When it comes to fancy vegetables, it helps to see them like edible Pokémon — gotta try ‘em all. (Heather Arndt Anderson)

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/05/opbs-first-look-coast-guard-helicopter-returns-to-newport-college-admissions-essays-change/